The effect of dietary chitin on the growth, survival and chitinase levels in the digestive gland of juvenile Penaeus monodon (Fab.)

Contents

Abstract

Quadruplicate groups of 50 juvenile Penaeus monodon were fed isoenergetic, semi-defined diets containing levels of chitin between 0 and 16% in a 50-day growth trial. Increasing levels of dietary chitin did not significantly affect individual weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, production or survival (P&gt;0.05). At the termination of the trial, carcass protein and lipid were unrelated to the level of dietary chitin. A statistical difference in carcass ash content was detected but could not be correlated with growth or survival. The numbers of chitinoclastic bacteria and the level of chitinase enzyme activity in the digestive glands of the animals were also assessed. The total viable counts for bacteria were low compared to values quoted in the literature. Numbers of chitinoclastic bacteria were also low and unrelated to the level of dietary chitin. The level of chitinase activity, however, decreased significantly with increasing levels of dietary chitin.

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